18 Days Post Full Tummy Tuck and Have Huge Love Handles, Is this Part of the Swelling? (photo)

Well..Where do i begin..Have to say this probably has been the longest 18 days ever...Im finally feeling back to normal No pain at all..:) can sleep on my side can bend over but still taking it very slowly can walk stand up just back to normal life again.The only thing is im Unhappy with my tummy tuck..Yes i was fully aware it wouldnt be perfect an i would still have some work to do.But im left with huge love handles an the top of my belly doesnt feel tight anymore scar is so high on my hips :(

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by ChristinaS in springfield, MO

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (1)

Unsatisfactory Shape After Tummy Tuck – Swelling vs. Incomplete Surgery

Based upon the photos you provided it appears that you have experienced nice improvement in the anterior abdomen – your stomach is much flatter, excess skin has been removed, and your umbilicus looks better. Only two and one-half weeks after surgery has passed, and you can expect to have moderate swelling at this point. It will probably take three months or more for your most of the swelling to resolve. However, you should have been offered liposuction of the flanks (love handles)... more

18 Days Post Full Tummy Tuck and Have Huge Love Handles, Is this Part of the Swelling? (photo)

Based ONLY upon the posted photos you needed a longer excision around the hips and possible liposuction. But an in person examination can verify these issues.

Tummy Tuck and "Love Handles"

Thank you for the question and pictures. You are correct in that there will be undoubtably some swelling left at this stage in your recovery. However, I am concerned that you will continue to have a significant amount of excess skin/adipose tissue in the " muffin top” area. Treatment of the stubborn muffin top involves excision (lipectomy) of excess skin and adipose tissue. This can be done as part of an “extended tummy tuck”. Liposuction... more

Tummy Tuck 18 days Post-Op

Thank you for providing these pictures. It would appear that you may benefit from some additional liposuction or possible extending the incision. It is still too soon to say 100% though. You should defer to your surgeon on his/her recommendation. I would advise waiting at least six months before having any additional surgery.

Tummy Tucks and Love Handles

The management of the love handle area is something that needs to be looked at and planned for as part of a tummy tuck procedure. Most patients will either need liposuction of them or have the tummy tuck scar extended if they are made up of a lot of loose skin with fat. What you are looking at is not signifincat swelling in the love handle area, but the original love handles themselves. Therfe may be some hip swelling given that you are only three weeks from surgery, but the vast... more

Takes months for all healing to occur for final result in tummytuck

It's too early to say what will be in this situation....especially not knowing where you started, exactly what was done, and what the discussion was during preop consultations with your surgeon. obviously you have some questions/concerns which need to be addressed....and you should be addressing them to the one who knows you best-the surgeon you entrusted to perform this operation. give them a call and get back to see them. minor revisions are not uncommon... more

Bruce K. Barach, MD

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Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

drbarach.com

Huge love handles after tummy tuck--what this means.

Hi, Lynn. You are not even 3 weeks from surgery, so you do indeed have swelling in your hip rolls where less skin was removed. These "dog ears" can result when the loose skin extends past the front of the abdomen into the hips, lateral thighs, and buttocks, but the surgery did not! Whether you call this area of residual skin laxity "love handles," "dog ears," or "muffin tops," at some point where the skin incisions stop, all of the loose skin that was... more

Persistent Love Handles AFTER Tummy Tuck

I see your concern but to be fair you are ONLY 3 weeks after your surgery, have not provided comprable BEFORE pictures and in the side views you are wearing VERY tight jeans which would make anyone look "fat". From the scar, it appears you have undergone an extended abdominoplasty. I hope you had also undergone liposuction of the back as well. Lipo of the back often reduced the need for an extensive scar in most women and nicely defines the hollow of the back and the upper... more